#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 2023-03-28

Hello, darlings! It’s Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast and time-travelling ballerina, and welcome back to another delightful Tuesday adventure! Today’s #TutuTuesday is a little special. It’s my 9979th post, and I can't help but think, how much has the tutu, my dear, delicate friend, evolved?

I've had such a wonderful time swirling through the ages, from the days of courtly dance to the grand leaps of today. And what an enchanting story it's been! I can't believe it's been almost a year since I landed in London in a flash of sequins and a cloud of tulle, after all that time travel, I’m starting to feel quite at home!

I love living in this grand city, I feel like my soul finally has space to breathe! And as we know, darling, breathing means dancing! The city is overflowing with performances. Last night I saw a divine ballet adaptation of The Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House. The ballerinas' tutus floated across the stage like the most exquisite clouds, shimmering like dreams in the spotlights. It truly was magic.

But what's a good dance without a good outfit? The perfect ballerina, a princess of the stage, needs a princess’s garb, right? And for that, we need the exquisite tutu. So, let’s take a little trip back in time, shall we? I'll whisk you away to the dawn of this sartorial spectacle, where we discover its origins.

Tutus: From Humble Beginnings to Glitz and Glamour!

Before the graceful twirls and the captivating swirls, before the billowing tulle and the twinkling sequins, there were…well, there were none. Or, rather, nothing resembling the modern tutu!

As you know, dear readers, dance has always been an intrinsic part of human life. Ancient Greek theatre was famed for its expressive and symbolic use of movement, but those early dancers did not twirl in the tulle creations we associate with ballet today.

Instead, dancers from ancient times to the Renaissance would often wear a wide range of colourful and luxurious clothing for their performances, ranging from richly embroidered fabrics to intricate gowns. These ensembles could sometimes be elaborate and flamboyant but lacked the distinct design that we see in the tutu.

Then came the 17th century! 👑 It's during this period that the iconic ‘ballet’ we recognise today truly took shape, thanks to the dazzling court dances at the Sun King's court in France, where elaborate dances, or ballets, took centre stage. This period was all about refined movement and extravagant garments.

And then, around the early 19th century, along came the ‘tutu’s’ forefather – the ‘tutu romantique.’ The term, if you’re wondering, comes from the ballet era of “romantism” where the choreography revolved around the delicate beauty of movement. This "romantic tutu", unlike those seen at a modern-day ballet show, was much fuller.

In the late 19th century, though, ballet underwent a stylistic transformation, with dancers adopting the petit pas and rapid, athletic footwork. That’s when our ‘petite’ tutu made its entrance!

The first ballerina to perform wearing a petite tutu was none other than the legend herself – the inimitable Marie Taglioni, the star dancer who graced stages across Europe in the mid-1800s. These tutus were still romantic and voluminous, with beautiful, flowing skirts. However, Taglioni's skirt was lighter and shorter than the “tutu romantique” – creating a new silhouette that focused on a dancer's movement and body.

What was happening to tutus in other parts of Europe? Germany in the 18th and 19th century embraced dance and adopted tutus but kept them more practical – they had a softer structure for lighter movements and a heavier construction, with full-length skirts which are less about ‘flying through the air’ and more about elegant posing and controlled movements.

After that? We then saw the development of tutus in all sorts of materials, colours, and lengths, until we had the iconic ballerina tutu that we know and love today. There are tutus designed for specific styles – long and floaty or ‘fluffy’ for those iconic classical ballets. The ballerina’s tutu became more elaborate over time, as well, as it grew even shorter, and the fabric shifted from white cotton to layers and layers of luxurious tulle. Then of course, we get tutus that are much shorter and looser for more athletic ballets.

What I think is most remarkable is that even now, so many years later, the ballet tutu has remained, well, a real icon! It’s become this enduring image of graceful femininity, grace, and artistry that has captured the imagination of everyone from fashion designers to little girls who dream of twirling and leaping. It has not just survived the test of time, it has triumphed!

This timeless symbol of ballet has been recreated and reimagined in a thousand ways. From the tulle, to the ribbons and embellishments, to the structure itself. We now have classic, elegant tutus, more modern contemporary styles, tutus for modern interpretations of old stories, and for completely original pieces.

But, there’s much more to tutus than that. They are also powerful tools in expressing creativity, emotions, and stories. From the most romantic to the most athletic dance pieces, a tutu can add a certain magical element to each story, highlighting the unique dance movement style, and offering the viewer a little peak at the emotions the choreography wants to portray. Isn’t that fabulous?!

And it's the color which often does this! Ballet tutus come in all shapes and sizes, and that includes their vibrant colours! Ballet schools and performances feature traditional white, and pale pink is a must! But that’s not all! Tutues have taken centre stage in bright bold hues such as deep emerald green, sky blue, passionate reds, fiery oranges, shimmering silvers, and glistening golds.

Think about it. There's a magical relationship between color and storytelling in ballet that makes for such expressive and dramatic results. That is part of the magic and delight of ballet and tutus – we see what the choreography wishes to portray! A stunning blue tutu for the fairy who embodies the clear sky, the pink tutu, naturally, representing all things whimsical, tender and graceful, and a dazzling gold tutu to convey the regal status and grace of the queen in a production.

Isn’t it fabulous that tutus are able to convey this kind of emotion? I mean, this makes us feel something! Tutues help us step into another world through a unique kind of visual storytelling.

But we haven't explored everything tutus do!

A Tutu for Everyone

I always have so much fun, dancing, writing, and creating my ballet world in Derbyshire. When I'm home, I teach a few local children, and they simply love getting dressed up in all sorts of pretty things! They always squeal with excitement, their eyes shining brighter than a thousand fairy lights when I break out the tulle. The fun thing is, everyone wants a tutu! Even the boys!

Now, there’s been so much wonderful conversation lately about breaking the boundaries of what a tutu can represent – the lovely dancers of the Dance of Change initiative wear modern styles, which include bold tutus designed by men for men and non-binary individuals. I love how the modern dance community is making room for a wider array of people who choose to wear these magical, expressive pieces.

That’s a major part of what tutus are all about, really – celebration. That’s something I’m committed to, as well. I’m going to wear this lovely pink tutu until the whole world loves them just as much as I do!

Do You Wear A Tutu?

Until next week, darlings, let's keep this wonderful ballet adventure going, as you all know, it’s a mission! You know what to do, though - post your favourite tutu photos, or videos. Tag your best looks for the world to see using the hashtag #TutuTuesday! And please don’t forget to share the amazing performances, classes and shopping stops! I simply adore discovering new gems from all of you!

See You Next Tuesday!

*P.S. * Oh, what was going on in the world on this particular day back in 2023?

I was surprised to learn that 2023-03-28 was also known as ‘World Water Day.’ You know what this means? Well, I’ve found the perfect tutus for all my aquatic dancers! They have intricate swirling details to make you look like you’re floating on water! I think I may have found the ideal tutu to express this theme! 🧜‍♀️